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Last Week in Japanese News 11/13/2022-11/19/2022 [1]
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Date: 2022-11-19
Hello, this is RWPOINTWOMAN, and this is Last Week in Japanese News! Here is where I deposit the translation portion of my self-imposed Japanese homework and I nowhere near fluent. However, I get all my articles exclusively from Easy Japanese, which allows me to get around that with features like the built-in Mazii dictionary and grammar bank.
My vocabulary is probably about 2,000 words, most of which are JLPT N5-N4, but a smattering of N3-N1, common words not on either of those levels and uncommon words. N5 is absolute beginner, N1 is native level. The last categories I’ve simply been exposed to through immersion. My grammar tends to top off at mid-N3 and I am working on it with Nihongoal on YouTube. My listening comprehension is poor and my expressive spoken Japanese is worse. My written Japanese is pretty limited but I can follow grammar rules pretty.
My immersion consists primarily of reading Easy Japanese news reader articles with a little bit of ShiliTV even though I don’t get ASMR, Cult Cinema Classics with Japanese subtitles, the official YouTube channel of Asahi News Network, and sometimes Darker Than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha.
My speaking practice is currently nonexistent until I can make alternate arrangements; my old speaking partner is unavoidably detained by her duties as executor of an estate and I haven’t yet gotten in touch with this new person I heard about. My writing practice consists mostly of replying to tweets on Japanese Cat Twitter and my occasional listening practice consists of ANN videos and listening to the robotic voices that come with the Easy Japanese news reader app.
On with the show!
November 13, 2022:
ASEAN summit opens today. (Asahi)
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) will begin a summit consisting of a series of meetings in which countries like Japan and the United States are participating on November 11 in Cambodia. The topics discussed included the ongoing turmoil caused by Myanmar's coup d'etat. The summit, which will begin on November 11, will be held in Phnom Phen, Cambodia, which is its capital. The ongoing instability in Myanmar following its February 2021 coup d'etat was also discussed. The head of Myanmar's military, which seized real power because of the coup d'etat, was not invited to this latest conference, and while no representatives from Myanmar will be present, the focus will be how to work out an effective plan. Aside from that, at the series of meetings there will be an East Asia Summit and the plan is for topics like the situation with the South China Sea and North Korea and the Russian invasion of Ukraine and US President Biden, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and each member country will be in attendance. Additionally, at the conference, the leaders can be observed holding a discussion and other things including a face-to-face meeting between Japan, the US, and Korea are also planned.
November 14, 2022:
Fire department teams gather and run drills in preparation for strong earthquakes. (NHK)
Japan thinks that a large earthquake will occur at the bottom of the Tokai Trough, which starts in the Tokai Region in the western Pacific Ocean. To prepare for that day, firefighters met at 12 venues in Shizuoka Prefecture for practice drills. About 3,000 people from all of Japan's administrative districts gathered for this. When an earthquake hits, things like mountains collapse and tsunamis hit and it is difficult to rescue people. Because of this, they are running drills in using cars that can function in spite in of being inside waves that come ashore and rescuing families buried under dirt. The drills are being run by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which said, "We want to be able to quickly gather team members when an earthquake happens."
For the first time, it looks as if fewer babies will be born compared to last year at 800,000(NHK)
The Japan Research Institute has forecast the number of babies that will be born over the course of this year based on the number of babies born from January to August of this year as determined by Japan. The result of that is that about 770,000 babies will be born this year, over 40,000 fewer than last year. This is the first time since investigations began in 1899 that it has been less than 800,000. In 2017, Japan said that it would fall to under 800,000 in 2030. This is 8 years earlier than forecast and represents an acceleration of the rate of decrease in the birthrate. The Japan Research Institute thinks that this is due to a falling marriage rate caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ANA to upcycle seat covers into slippers. (Asahi)
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has launched a new effort to upcycle airplane parts into slippers. ANA has begun an initiative to upcycle its nonflammable and durable seat covers into slippers in collaboration with apparel giant Onward. The seat covers will be taken to Yamagata Prefecture, which produces slippers, and it will be cut into strips mL thick and handsewn at a local factory. Reportedly, out of the 1,000 seat covers discarded each month, 200 will be used. Elsewhere in the aviation industry, Japan Air Lines (JAL) is upcycling life vests into things like pouches.
November 15, 2022:
Boston Symphony Orchestra returns to Japan after 5 year absence. (Asahi)
The Boston Symphony Orchestra, which is conducted by the world-famous Andris Nelsons, came to Minato Ward, Tokyo, Japan on November 13, and performed Symphony No. 6 of Mahler, a composer who was active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, at Suntory Hall. The audience applauded the performance, which was their first 1 in Japan in 5 years, tremendously. Audience member: "It has truly been a long time since I heard something that sounded so wonderful from the first note." Andris Nelsons, Boston Symphony Orchestra Music Director: "We can have a positive impact on the world. We think music is 1 such way. Therefore, we are grateful to everyone," he stated after the performance. Nelson said, "This is proof that through music, people can escape the terrible situation of war and connect with each other."
Foreigners experience "pilgrimage" where they walk around temples in Kagawa Prefecture. (NHK)
To go on a "pilgrimage" through Shikoku Prefecture is to wander around 88 Kobo Daishi temples where Kobo Daishi, a Buddhist priest, is worshipped. There was an event on November 12 in the Yashima District of Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture where foreigners tried to experience a pilgrimage. About 10 people wearing white including Americans and Thais were gathered and walked around the temple. They went to the Kajisui en route. The foreigners listened enthusiastically to the explanation of the that this water came from the spot where Kobo Daishi put his staff. And then they arrived at the temple and read sutras out loud. A man participating in this said, "Walking on the hill is difficult, but it was interesting the way my feelings changed when I put on the robe."
Discount brand SHEIN opens store that sells nothing in Harajuku.(Asahi)
SHEIN, a mail order fashion site from China most popular with teenagers and 20-somethings, has opened a showroom-style store that sells nothing. There was a line of people waiting for the store in Harajuku Ward, Tokyo to open by the time it did and when they went inside, they formed another line for discount shown items starting at ¥77 and there was a fitting room where it can be assumed that they took photos and uploaded them by SNS. Nothing is sold in store; the QR code on the tag is scanned and purchases are made through ways like the SHEIN site or an app. SHEIN is a Chinese fashion brand with main headquarters in Singapore that has expanded into over 150 countries and regions throughout the world and it is rapidly increasing its sales of its trendy yet affordable fashion.
November 16, 2022:
Softbank to end 3G service on end January 2024. Mainly used for "Garagee". (Asahi)
Softbank has announced that it is ending its 3G service line, which was mainly used for old-fashioned cellphones called garagee, on January 31, 2024. Softbank began this on December 2002, but recently, faster, higher quality 4G, 5G, etc. phones have gained ground, making 3G users less common. According to the November 14 announcement, 3G service will be suspended on January 31, 2024 and it will promote more effective utilization of electromagnetic waves. 3G users will need to changeover from the plans and devices they have had up to now and Softbank will implement a campaign to do so starting on November 16. KDDI ended its 3G service at the end of March of this year and NTT Docomo plans to end its 3G service at the end of March 2026.
Daio Paper to raise price of tissue paper, other items by over 30%. (Asahi)
Daio Paper has announced a price increase of over 20% for products including tissue and toilet paper. Daio Paper will raise the prices of all of its household use and office use paper products starting with the January 1 shipment. It will be by over 20%. It is believed that the retail price up to now of ¥339 per 5 pack of tissues will go up to ¥406. The price increases will continue next March. Raw materials and logistics costs are continuing to increase and they said, "The cheap yen is also co-occuring with the more than expected manufacturing costs."
New COVID-19 cases reach 100,000/day in Japan. (NHK)
COVID-19 cases are increasing. There were about 128,000 new cases confirmed on November 15. Hokkaido had over 10,000 cases, the highest to date. The Tokyo Metropolitan Area had over 10,000. The Japanese government decided on new rules in the event of viral spread on November 11. In the event of it becoming difficult to go to a hospital, the 4 administrative districts have permission to ask people with symptoms like fever not to go to places like work or school. In the event of extremely widespread infection filling hospitals to the brim, they can ask people to work from home and stop traveling. About 10% of the Japanese population has gotten the omicron-specific vaccine. The Japanese government has been saying it want people to get vaccinated soon.
November 17, 2022:
Food problems discussed with African women leaders. (NHK)
The African food shortage is getting worse. The causes are things like an increased number of locusts eating everything. The worry is that effects of Russia's attack on Ukraine will continue. A Japanese organization will hold its first meeting with African women leaders on this topic at the end of this month. The wives of prime ministers and presidents from 10 countries including Uganda and Gabon were invited to Japan. Ways to increase the food supply will be discussed at the conference. And then experts will teach them how to grow rice in Africa and go see about provision of lunch to elementary students. The organization wants to try to provide support to enable them to grow their own staple foods in order to feed Africa's children. And then they said they wanted many countries to cooperate.
Yokohama City sends things like warm clothes to Odessa, Ukraine. (NHK)
The people of Ukraine are living hard lives because of the Russian attack. This month, Odessa, Ukraine communicated with Yokohama City that it needs things like warm clothing as winter is getting near. Yokohama City and Odessa have been engaged in cultural exchange for over 50 years. Due to this, Yokohama City has decided to send about 2,000 sets of warm clothing and about 10,000 sets of foot warmers meant to be inserted into shoes. The newly purchased and sent clothing has, "Yokohama City supports Odessa," sewn on in English. The plan is to send the clothing and foot warmers to Odessa in December.
Japanese company seeks permission from Russian government to use Sakhalin1. (Asahi)
The media has reported that a Japanese operating company has been permitted by the Russian government to retain its traditional interest in Sakhalin1, a oil and natural gas pipeline in the Russian Far East. In regards to Sakhalin1, a business firm that the Japanese government, major trading companies, etc invested in has held a 30% interest so far, has announced that it is participating in a new operating company on the Russian side. Russia's TASS News Agency reported on November 14 that the Russian government has permitted the Japanese side to retain its traditional interest. The Russian government also recognized investment made by a Japanese trading in Sakhalin2 and permitted it to maintain its interest in the Russian Far East.
November 18, 2022:
"Talks Continue" between Prime Minister Kishida and President Xi. (NHK)
Prime Minister Kishida met with President of China Xi Jinping in Thailand on November 17 and they spoke for about 40 minutes. The heads of state of Japan and China met for 3 years. China launched missiles into the Sea of Japan in August of this year. Many Chinese ships entered Japanese territorial waters near Okinawa Prefecture's Senkaku Islands. Prime Minister Kishida said that he thought China's actions were a big problem. And he strongly asserted that the Straits of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean were important. Prime Minister Kishida said it was important for the 2 nations to continue to talk in spite of their problems. The 2 decided to continue their talks to extend the relationship between Japan and China.
"There was a problem with the way we were listening": Racially, etc. -biased stop-and-frisk (NHK)
Stop-and-frisk based on things like race, color, and nationality has become a problem around the world. When the National Police Agency investigated this, it found that problematic interrogations occurred in places like the Tokyo Metropolitan Area and Kanagawa Prefecture 6 times last year. They include saying things like "nanjin desu ka?" instead of "kokuseki wa doko desu ka?"** and seeing a name in katakana, assuming that the person is a foreigner, and demanding that they show their zairyuu kaado.*** They have said, "Your hair makes you look like a drug addict." The National Police Agency states it thinks that officers have discriminated against these people and that it is trying not to feel ill-will towards the people it interrogates.
*What kind of person are you?
**What is your nationality?
***Card meant for foreigners.
I am no longer sure if they meant stop-and-frisk.
"3rd price increase": 51 frozen foods including gyoza affected. (Asahi)
Ajinomoto Frozen Foods has announced that it will raise the prices of 51 frozen foods intended for household use including the popular gyoza and shuumai by roughly between 6% and 16% starting with the February 1, 2023. They will also increase the prices of 390 frozen foods intended for commercial use by 25% starting with the March 1, 2023 shipment. The causes of the price increases are the steep increases in the prices of things like raw ingredients and energy and the rapidly cheapening yen. It is said that corporate endeavors cannot absorb continuously rising costs.
November 19, 2022:
Largest-in-its-class imaging technology exhibition to feature AI lessons, mixed reality, etc. (Asahi)
InterBEE, Japan's largest-in-class video technology exhibition opened on November 16 and attention was on things like cutting-edge digital content and AI fusion. Video app iNSYNC has 30 frames a second, uses AI to analyze dance moves, and quantifies its synchro rate to replicate them. Reportedly, based on factors like dynamics, it will be trained on the necessary parts. Mixed reality (MR) displays, which were developed by Canon, display a life-sized car before one's eyes and allow one to feel the sensation of opening and change the color. It is said that this sort of technology can be used for medical training and watching sports. 810 businesses, organizations, etc. will exhibit their technology there and it will run until November 18.
That's all for now.
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